One hundred and fifty years ago, all this land was part of “The Samsonvale Run” – a large portion of land owned by the Joyner Family. They built their home, “Aust House” not far from here in 1865.

We encountered more historical ruins a few minutes later: a couple of old concrete grain silos.

I love these old hints of earlier times. Before the dam was built in the early 1970’s, the government acquired the surrounding farmland, stopping most agricultural activity. They removed most of the houses on the land, but hints from previous owners persist. An old silo, a strange concrete slab, an out-of-place domestic garden, or a patch of bitumen in the middle of eucalyptus scrub. They’re like echoes of the past reminding us of another era.

We continued our journey along the shoreline.

The sun climbed higher in the sky. The day grew warmer.

At the next deep creek crossing we decided to indulge in a second swim.